‘Ask the refs’: Kings see big free-throw disparity in loss to Milwaukee Bucks
The Kings were careful with their words to avoid any fines from the NBA, but the free-throw disparity did not go unnoticed following a 127-106 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night at Golden 1 Center.
Milwaukee made only three more field goals than Sacramento, but the Kings lost by 21 despite hitting the same number of 3-pointers. The Kings outscored the Bucks 64-54 on points in the paint and 16-13 on points off turnovers. The outcome was largely determined at the free-throw line, where the Bucks made 23 of 30 (.767) while the Kings made 8 of 10 (.800).
“We scored 64 points in the paint,” Kings coach Luke Walton said. “That’s normally the sign of getting to the foul line. We were aggressively attacking the paint. Normally you should get more than 10 free throws when you do that. You earn that respect in this league and we’re still trying to earn that where you get the benefit of those calls.”
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox was active, aggressive and engaged, nearly posting a triple-double. He finished with 19 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots in 38 minutes, but he didn’t shoot a single free throw.
Fox is averaging 6.1 free-throw attempts per game this season. The only other time Fox hasn’t gotten to the foul line this season was Dec. 26 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he left the game in the first two minutes due to back spasms.
“We shot 10 free throws and they shot 30,” Fox said. “… They shot 20 more free throws than us and we ended up losing by 21, so it is what it is. I think I played the most minutes I’ve played all year tonight and I didn’t shoot a single free throw, so you take it as you may.”
Fox noted that the Kings fouled three 3-point shooters and Buddy Hield pointed out that the Bucks are long, athletic and “they defend the paint really well,” but the Kings still felt they had been shorted after being whistled for twice as many fouls.
Khris Middleton attempted 11 free throws for the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo attempted eight on a night when he was held to a season-low 13 points.
Hield attempted 16 shots in 34 minutes, but he didn’t have any free-throw attempts. He didn’t want to address the free-throw disparity after the game.
“You gotta asks the refs that,” he said. “That’s not my problem. I didn’t call the game.”
Kings upcoming schedule
Jan. 13 vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 vs. Dallas Mavericks
Jan. 18 at Utah, 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 at Miami, 2 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Detroit, 4 p.m.
This story was originally published January 11, 2020 at 1:50 AM.
